Golf cart enclosure

ABSTRACT

A golf cart enclosure system for a golf cart having a passenger cabin, a roof mounted on a frame for covering the passenger cabin and a front windshield. The system comprises a guide rail secured to the frame proximate the roof and a panel of a length sufficient to extend from the guide rail to the golf cart passenger cabin below. A plurality of swivel rollers is provided, wherein a first end of the swivel roller rollably engages the guide rail and wherein a second end of the swivel roller is fastened to the panel. The panel slidably moves along the guide rail from a closed position where the panel is fully extended to an open position where the panel is retracted.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application SerialNo. 61/891,614 filed on Oct. 16, 2013 and is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf cart enclosure, and moreparticularly, to a sliding panel golf cart enclosure to be used duringinclement weather to protect persons within the enclosure from suchweather. Specifically, the present invention relates to a sliding panelgolf cart enclosure wherein the golf cart is equipped with panelmounting rails where each rail is adapted to slidably carry a panelthrough a swivel fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf carts are generally designed to carry two persons (golfers) withina cabin portion of the cart while a platform positioned behind the cabinportion carries each person's golf bag and golf clubs. Many golf cartsare further outfitted with a roof and a windshield. Golf carts, however,are generally designed to have no doors or other impediments along thesides of the cart. This lack of doors is intentional as it allows forquick and easy ingress into and egress from the cabin while playing around of golf. One drawback to this open design, however, is theinability to control or limit golfer exposure to inclement weatherand/or insects. Thus, numerous systems exist in the art which retrofitgolf carts to be more weather/insect repellant. Each of these systems,unfortunately, suffers from a number of setbacks.

One example of a system for weather- and/or insect-proofing a golf cartincludes the provision of a roll-up barrier. These roll-up systemsgenerally include a vinyl or other clear plastic panel fixedly securedto the frame structure of the golf cart which supports the roof. When inuse, the panel drapes downwardly to cover the open sides of the golfcart passenger cabin. When not in use, the panels are rolled upwardly tobe collected and secured to the roof frame so as to allow quick and easyaccess to the passenger cabin. A significant drawback to these roll-upsystems, however, is the entrapment of moisture within the panel when inthe rolled condition. This moisture leads to the buildup of mildew.

Alternative systems have been developed to overcome the mildew problemsassociated with roll-up panels. These alternative systems generallyemploy one or more panels which slide horizontally along a tracksituated above, and in some cases below, the side openings of the golfcart's passenger cabin. When not in use, these panels slide laterallytowards the back of the golf cart where they are then secured fromclosing unintentionally. One example of a horizontally sliding enclosureincludes clear panels constructed of relatively thick plastic. Thisexample can be thought of as being similar to conventional shower doorswhere a first panel passes in front of (or behind) a second panel.Another similar example of a sliding enclosure includes a generally thinpanel of clear plastic. This example is generally similar to aconventional shower curtain which can be displaced laterally by bunchingthe plastic panel together. In each of these examples, however, ease ofadmission to the passenger cabin of the golf cart is restricted by thepresence of the panel when the panel is not in use. One attempt toalleviate the bunching of a thin panel has been to split the panel intothin strips with successive strips splined together via rigid verticalmembers. In this manner, the constructed panel is able to fold compactlyso as to minimize obstruction of the cabin opening. However, when in anextended position, such as during inclement weather, the verticalmembers obstruct the view of the cart driver and pose a safety hazard.Further, the provision of the vertical members and spline increases costof production while increasing points of possible enclosure failurethrough stress and wear.

As such, there is a need for a golf cart enclosure which providesprotection from the elements when needed but that also retracts to agenerally compact bundle when not in use. There is a need for a golfcart enclosure that provides maximum viewability to the occupants of thegolf cart when the enclosure is being employed but that also retractscompactly so as not to hinder ingress into or egress from the golf cartpassenger cabin when the enclosure is unneeded.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, one embodiment the present invention is directed to a golfcart enclosure that provides a barrier along the sides and back of agolf cart passenger cabin. The golf cart enclosure generally consists ofa number of clear plastic panels which drape from a support structuresituated proximate the roof frame of the golf cart. In furtherembodiments, the enclosure may consist of a number of two-part panelswherein the lower portion of each panel is constructed of a durablefabric, such as marine grade canvas while the upper portion isconstructed of a clear plastic material such as polyethylene or vinylsheeting. The enclosure is selectively retractable along the supportstructure such that one or more panels can be withdrawn from coveringthe door opening to the passenger cabin and/or the back “window” abovethe seat bench. The panels are mounted to the support structure byswiveling rollers such that the retracted panel does not impede ingressinto or egress from the passenger cabin.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a golf cartenclosure system for a golf cart having a passenger cabin, a roofmounted on a frame for covering the passenger cabin and a frontwindshield is disclosed. The system comprises a guide rail secured tothe frame proximate the roof and a panel of a length sufficient toextend from the guide rail to the golf cart passenger cabin below. Aplurality of swivel rollers is provided, wherein a first end of theswivel roller rollably engages the guide rail and wherein a second endof the swivel roller is fastened to the panel. The panel slidably movesalong the guide rail from a closed position where the panel is fullyextended to an open position where the panel is retracted.

The embodiments of the present invention are well-suited to provideprotection from inclement weather and/or insects when deployed whilealso compactly stowing when not in use so as not to hinder access to thegolf cart passenger cabin.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be set forth in part in the description which follows,and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of theinvention, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and are tobe read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference numerals areemployed to indicate like parts in the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf cart with an employed golf cartenclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf cart with a retracted side panelof a golf cart enclosure according to second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 a perspective view of a golf cart with a retracted side panel andretracted back panel of a golf cart enclosure according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an expanded view of a panel fastener used with a golf cartenclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a front guide rail bracket used with agolf cart enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an expanded view of a rear guide rail bracket with panels inthe extended position;

FIG. 7 is an expanded view of a rear guide rail bracket with a panel inthe retracted position;

FIG. 8A is an detailed cross sectional view of a swivel roller used witha golf cart enclosure according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8B is an expanded view of a swivel member used with a golf cartenclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9-17 are simplified views showing alternate embodiments of guiderails and associated panel sliding mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, and specifically to FIGS. 1-3, agolf cart 10 is equipped with an embodiment of a golf cart enclosure 100in accordance with the present invention. Golf cart 10 generallyincludes a passenger compartment 20 equipped with a bench for seating ofpassengers, as well as operational controls (steering wheel, brakepedal, acceleration pedal, etc.) to operate the golf cart. To the rearof the passenger compartment 20 is a platform area 40 for securing agolf bag and clubs for use during a round of golf. Optionally, platformarea 40 may include a further bench to provide additional passengerseating. Many golf carts also include a frame 12 for mounting a roof 50(see FIGS. 5-7). Further included may be a windshield 30 mounted toframe units 12.

As explained above, golf carts are not typically constructed to have anenclosed passenger compartment, but are rather open-sided andopen-backed. Thus, during inclement weather, or should insects beparticularly bothersome, passengers in the passenger compartment 20 areleft open to the adverse environment. Golf cart enclosure 100 isdesigned and mounted so as to minimize, if not eliminate altogether, thenegative effects of poor environmental conditions.

Golf cart enclosure 100 is generally comprised of one or more panels110, 120, 130 which have sufficient length to extend from the roof tothe body of the golf cart. As shown in perspective, side panel 110generally covers the left hand side of the cart and may incorporate rearpanel 120 to form a continuous single panel unit. Similarly, and notreferenced by a reference numeral, a right side panel generally coversthe right hand side of the cart and may incorporate rear panel 130 intoa single panel unit. Panel unit 110A may also be included to compensatefor the angle created by the forward frame while creating a generallyperpendicular rear edge with respect to the roofline/cart floor. Anoptional canopy 150 may also be included which is intended to cover thehardware associated with the golf cart enclosure which will be discussedin more detail with reference to FIGS. 5-7.

As can be seen by FIGS. 1 and 2, side panel 110 is configured to coverthe left hand side of golf cart 10. When in a closed position (FIG. 1)side panel 110 extends generally from rear frame member 12 forward tothe perpendicular edge created by panel 110A. Retraction of side panel110 (FIG. 2) exposes passenger compartment 20 allowing for efficientingress into or egress out of the compartment. When retracted, sidepanel 110 may be releasably secured by fastener 112. Fastener 112 may beany suitable fastener, such as clips, snaps, hook and loop material, andis preferably a tie-back strap or toggle strap. As further shown in FIG.2, side panel 110 may be manufactured as a two piece construction. Thetwo piece construction includes a generally clear plastic top portion110′ and a robust fabric bottom portion 110″. Top portion 110′ ispreferably a clear plastic such as vinyl or polyethylene. Bottom portion110″ is preferably a marine grade canvas material which would resisttearing and puncturing such as from multiple retractions and extensionsof the panel or from abuse from passengers, such as from golf spikes ordriving the cart through wooded areas were limbs may impinge upon thepanel.

With reference to FIG. 3, rear panel 120 is shown in a retractedposition. As discussed above with regard to side panel 110, rear panel120 may be secured in an open position by any suitable fastener, such atoggle strap 122. Rear panel 120 is also provided with one or morefasteners 125 which mate with fastener 135 of rear panel 130. Thus, whenboth rear panels 120 and 130 are in a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2)the mating fasteners 125/135 serve to secure to two panels together.Examples of suitable fasteners include respective male and femalecounterparts of clips, snaps, buttons, hook and loop, and zippers, withsaid fasteners preferably being hook and loop fasteners. As describedabove, rear panel 120 may be incorporated with side panel 110 to formone continuous panel unit. Rear panel 130 may similarly form acontinuous panel with the right side panel (not enumerated).Alternatively, rear panels 120 and 130 may each be distinct panel unitsapart from the side panels, or further, rear panels 120 and 130 may bemanufactured as a single continuous rear panel thereby obviating theneed for mating fasteners 125/135.

FIG. 4 is a representative view of a mechanism for mounting the forwardedge of panel 110A to a golf cart frame unit 12. Panel 110A is equippedwith a fastener 115 which removably mounts the panel to the frame. In apreferred embodiment, fastener 115 is a double D-ring strap having afirst strap with D-rings fixedly secured to the panel 110A. A secondstrap is similarly secured to the panel with its free end passingthrough and around the two D-rings so as to cinch the panel to theframe. While preferably a double D-strap fastener, it would beappreciated by those skilled in the art that any suitable fastener maybe employed. It should also be stated, for purposes of clarification,that fastener 115 is generally located on the lower portion of the paneland is meant to prevent lifting of the panel from the bottom. The topportion of each panel is secured to a guide rail as will be discussed ingreater detail with regard to FIGS. 5-7. Also, while shown and describedas mounting panel 110A to a front frame member 12, similar fasteners arepositioned at suitable locations on the remainder of the panels asdesired or required.

FIG. 5 shows an expanded view of the mounting of the forward end of aguide rail 160 utilized in the golf cart enclosure 100 of the presentinvention. Guide rail 160 is generally mounted proximate roof 50 of thegolf cart. Roof 50 is typically mounted to frame unit 12 through roofstrap 55. Bent bracket 170 is secured to frame member 12, preferably bybolts or lag screws 171. Bent bracket 170 is configured to have a flatportion 170′ which rests against and is secured to frame member 12. Agenerally perpendicular bend portion 170″ extends outwardly from framemember 12 and is selected to have a length equal to or slightly largerthan the width of guide rail 160. Finally, bent bracket 170 includes afurther portion 170″' which extends upwardly in a plane generallyparallel with flat portion 170′ but displaced outwardly from framemember 12 by the length of 170″. In this manner, guide rail 160 isconstrained in the x-direction between bent bracket portion 170″ androof 150 and between bent bracket portion 170″′ and frame unit 12 in thez-direction. Travel in the y-direction is prevented through frictionbetween the guide rail and the bent bracket 170. Optionally, guide rail160 may be secured in the z-direction by fastening it to the bentbracket or frame unit by a suitable fastener, such as a screw or bolt.Side panel 110A is mounted within the guide rail and allowed to drapedownwardly as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In an alternate embodiment, 172 isomitted and the bars 160 and 162 are attached to each other directly

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detailed views of the guide rails used for retractingand extending the panels. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, by way ofexample, with such discussion meant to encompass each guide railemployed by the present invention, guide rail 162 has a generally squarec-shaped cross section. Guide rail 162 has generally parallel opposingsides 162′ and bottom members 162″ and 162″′ forming a groove 163therebetween. Swivel rollers 180 are rotatably secured within the guiderail 162 and include a portion which extends through groove 163, withsuch portion fastened to a panel 110/120/130.

Further shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a mounting bracket 172 used to secureguide rails 160 and 162 to the golf cart at a rear frame member 12.Mounting bracket 172 is a generally T-shaped bracket wherein a portionof one horizontal arm of the T is bent at a generally 90° angle. Thevertical portion of the T-shaped mounting bracket 172 is secured to theframe member 12. As shown, the left hand horizontal arm of the T-shapedbracket extends into the interior opening of guide rail 160 where thearm secures the guide rail against the frame member 12. The bent portion173 of the right hand horizontal arm secures guide rail 162 to theframe. Bracket 172 is positioned on the frame member 12 such that bentportion 173 engages the open portion of guide rail 162 and impinges aside wall 162′ against frame member 12, thereby constraining movement inthe y-direction. The width of the horizontal arms of bracket 172 isselected to be slightly smaller than the width W of guide rail 162 suchthat bracket 172 fits snugly within the guide rail. This snug fit, inconjunction with the roof 50, prevent guide rail displacement in thex-direction. While not shown or described, the opposing side of the golfcart is similarly equipped with guide rails and brackets as discussedwith above with regard to FIGS. 5-7. Thus, the two rear T-shapedbrackets, in combination serve to prevent movement of the guide rail 162in the z-direction. Panels 110/120/130 are draped from the guide railsby swivel rollers 180. Optional canopy 150 is mounted to the roof andserves to hide or obscure the guide rails and swivel rollers 180 fromcasual view.

Turning now also to FIGS. 8A and 8B, swivel rollers 180 of the presentinvention generally comprise a tab 182 having a top end 182′ and abottom end 182″. A pair of roller bearings 184′ and 184″ is rotatablymounted on an axle 183. Axle 183 extends through the tab 182 proximatethe top end 182′ with roller bearing 184′ situated on one side of thetab 182 and roller bearing 184″ located on the other side of tab 182.Swivel member 185 is situated below the tab 182 with the swivel member185 being attached to the tab by way of a tang 185′. Swivel member 185further includes a tang 185″ which is attached to a respective panel110/120/130. Preferably, each tang 185″ may be attached to itsrespective tab or panel through use of a rivet 186, for example. Thenumber and location of swivel rollers 180 positioned along the top of apanel may vary and is selected to control the size of the bundled panelwhen in the open position as well as the width of each fold of thatbundle. More swivel rollers leads to a shorter width of each fold but awider resultant bundled panel.

Roller bearings 184′ and 184″ rest upon and are rotatably moveableacross the inner surface of guide rail bottom members 162″′ and 162″,respectively. Ideally, the total width of roller bearings 184′, 184″,axle 183 and tab 182 is such that lateral movement of the swivel rollerin the y-direction is minimized. The roller bearings minimize frictionto ensure quiet and essentially effortless sliding of a panel between anopen or closed position requiring the use of only a single finger toslide it along. Swivel member 185 allows the panel to swivel withrespect to the roller elements and further allows the panel to compactinto a tight bundle when the panel is retracted to an open conditionallowing golfer ingress and egress to and from the cart. This compactbundle afforded by the swivel member provides greater accessibility tothe passenger cabin 20 when a side panel is open as compared to panelsgenerally known in the art.

FIGS. 9-14 are simplified views illustrating alternate embodiments ofguide rails “R” and associated sliding mechanisms “SM” which may beattached to the panels.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain aspects thereof, other versions are possible.For example, and not by way of limitation, the framework which attachesto the cart may be modified as desired. Therefore, the spirit and scopeof the appended claims should not be limited to the description of theaspects contained herein.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims,abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or processdisclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations whereat least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Eachfeature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract,and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same,equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one exampleonly of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf cart enclosure system for a golf carthaving a passenger cabin, a roof mounted on a frame for covering thepassenger cabin and a front windshield, the system comprising: a) aguide rail secured to the frame proximate the roof; b) a panel of alength sufficient to extend from the guide rail to the golf cartpassenger cabin below; and c) a plurality of swivel rollers, wherein afirst end of the swivel roller rollably engages the guide rail andwherein a second end of the swivel roller is fastened to the panel,wherein the panel slidably moves along the guide rail from a closedposition where the panel is fully extended to an open position where thepanel is retracted.
 2. The golf cart enclosure system of claim 1 whereinthe guide rail has a generally c-shaped cross section wherein the openportion of the guide rail faces downwardly.
 3. The golf cart enclosuresystem of claim 2 wherein the first end of the swivel roller includes apair of roller bearings with each respective roller bearing rollablyengaged with a respective arm of the c-shaped cross section guide rail.4. The golf cart enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the second end ofthe swivel roller is fixedly fastened to the panel by a rivet.
 5. Thegolf cart enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the second end of theswivel roller is releasably fastened to the panel.
 6. The golf cartenclosure system of claim 1 wherein the panel is a clear plastic sheet.7. The golf cart enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the panel has atwo-piece construction wherein the top portion of the construction is aclear plastic sheet and the bottom portion of the construction is acanvas.
 8. The golf cart enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the swivelroller comprises: a) a tab having a top end and a bottom end; b) a pairof roller bearings rotatably mounted on an axle, wherein the axleextends generally orthogonally through the tab proximate the top end andwherein the roller bearings are positioned on respective sides of thetab in a plane substantially parallel with the tab; and c) a swivelmember having an upper tang and a lower tang wherein each tang swivelsindependent of the other and wherein the upper tang is attached to thebottom end of the tab and the lower tang is attached to the panel.